Louisiana, area seeing growth in farmers markets

Central Louisiana, state seeing growth in farmers markets

Farmers markets, like the Cane River Green Market in Natchitoches, have been growing across Louisiana and the South to meet the increased demand for fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.(Photo: Courtesy)

Story Highlights

Louisiana saw the second-biggest jump in new farmers markets over the past year

Cenla has nearly a dozen farmers markets already here or in development

The farmers market boom appears to be leveling off in many areas, but not in this part of the country.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Louisiana saw the second-biggest jump among states in new farmers markets that have opened in the past year. Locally, nearly a dozen farmers markets have popped up — many of them recently — or are in development.

"We have a growing farmers market presence here," said John Cotton Dean, regional food systems planner for Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. "The structure is being created, which is exciting. What we're finding is we have the demand, but we still need more produce for these farmers markets."

"I think people get excited not only about fresh produce, but also about buying something that was grown here and funneling that money back into Central Louisiana," said Stephen Reed, manager of Inglewood Farm's Harvest Barn Market. "People are tired of seeing their money go somewhere else."

Coming off Farmers Market Week last week, Central Louisiana's presence in the showcases for local fruits and vegetables is growing stronger.

Last Monday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the area's newest market, to be built on Pacific Avenue in Boyce and made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Also last week, the Cane River Green Market in Natchitoches was named one of the 101 Best Farmers Markets in America by TheDailyMeal.com.

The website covering food and drink topics chose its best markets based on factors including the quality and variety of products sold at the market; the availability of each vendor's background information; what kind of fan base the market has on social media and what people are saying about it; awards or recognition it has received; and how often the market is open weekly and year-round.

About the Cane River Green Market, The Daily Meal said, "Located on the downtown riverbank, the market encourages sustainability with locally produced foods and handmade crafts, as well as occasional 'Lunch and Learns' like 'Growing a Green Vegetable Garden.'"

(Photo: Courtesy)

"We're very excited about the honor," said Samantha Bonnette, manager of the Natchitoches market. "Overall, it's going well. People are getting used to seeing fruits and vegetables there. We have more producers participating than in the past."

The USDA measures farmers markets through its online directory. According to its statistics, Louisiana saw a 12 percent growth in new markets from 2013 to 2014, trailing only Tennessee at 20 percent. That's compared to 1.5 percent growth nationwide.

CLEDA's Local Foods Initiative seeks to improve health outcomes and strengthen the area's economy by increasing opportunities to buy and sell fresh, locally grown produce. Farmers markets, Dean said, are a key piece in the overall effort to build a diversified local foods economy.

"We've grown consistently over the last few months," Reed said of Inglewood's Harvest Barn Market, which unlike many markets, stays open all year.

This year, the Harvest Barn Market added attractions such as music and healthy-living demonstrations to its Saturday produce offerings to broaden the appeal. Starting Sept. 2, its Tuesday market will move to the corner of Jackson Street and Texas Avenue in Alexandria.

"It's really become a buyer's market," Reed said. "It's not just people who want to come hang out and do something fun on a Saturday. We get people like that, but we also have a lot of people who know exactly what they're coming to get and how much they're going to spend."

The demand is there to support the local farmers markets that are popping up and then some, Dean said. What the area needs is a greater supply of product. CLEDA is focusing heavily on developing producers, including small-scale producers.

"On the one hand, as a small-scale producer, you do face challenges," Dean said. "On the other hand, there are lots of examples throughout the country of ways small-scale producers are making a good financial living. We have that opportunity here in Central Louisiana.

"The market itself isn't an issue. In the last year or so, we've seen a growing market for local food. That bodes well for the future. What we've seen is we sometimes can't supply that market. That's where we need to improve."

CLEDA offering free coaching to farmers

Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance is looking to offer free coaching to more local vegetable farmers through its Business Acceleration System entrepreneurship program.

"There is a movement here in Central Louisiana to eat local," said BAS Executive Director Gary Perkins. "Farmers are being connected with each other, with local restaurants and with groceries and farmers markets. If you are a vegetable farmer who is interested in increased profitability, contact BAS."

BAS works with farmers on things as marketing, website development, accounting software, record keeping and efficiencies.

"You get free training, and they have good connectors," said John Sheppard of Hill of Beans Farms in Simpson, who credited CLEDA with helping him to transition his vegetable farm into a profitable business. "You can be really good at growing things, but you need help being proficient at business. Having the team that CLEDA has with Gary and everybody at your disposal, that is huge. If you don't know the answer, they will help you find the solution."

Vegetable farmers get assistance from BAS farm coach Danny Coombs, who retired in 2010 from the LSU AgCenter after 37 years of service, including serving as coordinator of the AgCenter's Dean Lee Research Station in Alexandria.

"I think the biggest thing I can bring to the table are the relationships that I developed," Coombs said. "I know where to go to ask for help."

Vegetable farmers interested in the program can contact Perkins at (318) 441-3400 or Coombs at (318) 613-7208. For information, visit whybas.com. To read about the local food efforts, visit FreshCentral.org.

Coaching services are offered free thanks to funding provided by The Rapides Foundation and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation.